Digital Dog Portraits
Let’s celebrate Shelter dogs.
Let’s get them seen. Let’s make it fun.
I’m working on a project to help Napa shelter dogs. As a creative director and designer, I think visually—through story, energy, and personality. Every dog has a vibe. Through color, texture, and different painting styles, that energy can be felt before a single word is read. I’m using art and AI tools to help tell these dogs’ stories in a way that feels joyful, vibrant, and full of life.
Shelter dogs don’t need to be presented as sad or depressing. They are hopeful, expressive, and ready to be seen—and art allows us to meet them that way.
It started simply—experimenting with AI artwork to create a calendar of my dog, Reba, as a Christmas gift. Then I created a digital portrait of a favorite shelter dog, Azula. It was fun, playful, and surprisingly moving. Soon after, I made another piece for Rayo, a husky with a completely different energy.
Different dog. Different vibe. Each one deserving of a moment in the spotlight.
As I continued experimenting, I began to realize this wasn’t just an art experiment—it was the beginning of something that could truly make a difference. Let's change the way that we see shelter animals.
Seeing Shelter Dogs Differently
This work exists as original artwork and early explorations—calendars, prints, and custom products. It’s designed to evolve, leaving space for collaboration, imagination, and new ways of honoring shelter dogs through art.
I imagine a future where every family who adopts a dog from the Napa County Animal Shelter receives a custom portrait—something joyful and lasting to mark that new beginning. Or where the volunteers who pour so much care into these animals are gifted one as well.
Too often, once a dog is adopted, their story simply disappears from the shelter website. But adoption is not an ending—it’s a milestone. A portrait becomes more than visibility; it becomes a celebration. A way to honor a dog’s journey, the people who supported them, and the moment everything changes.
Let’s remember them, honor them, and celebrate them.
If you’re interested in collaborating—through custom products, storytelling, promotion, or another creative partnership—I’d love to explore what we could build together. This project is about visibility, celebration, and seeing shelter dogs for who they truly are.
